STOEKS. 353 



America, the plumage of which presents the most beautiful 

 tints. 



The Stork ( Ciconia) has a long and straight bill, wide at the base, 

 pointed, and sharp- edged; legs long and slender; tibia bare for 

 half its length ; tarsi long, compressed, reticulated ; hind toe short, 

 slightly elevated, and inserted rather high, but resting upon 

 the ground ; the tail is short. They are found in nearly all parts 

 of the world. Some species migrate with great regularity, 

 being admirably constructed for travelling considerable distances ; 

 for, although their bulk seems great, their weight is comparatively 

 small, as most of their bones are hollow. In their migratory 

 journeys they fly in continuous or angular lines, and chiefly by 

 night. 



Storks live in moist and swampy places by the side of pools 

 and rivers. They feed principally on reptiles, batrachians, and 

 fishes ; but they also devour the smaller birds and mammalia, 

 mollusks, worms, and insects ; among the latter, even bees become 

 their victims, nor do they disdain carrion and other impurities. 

 Their manner is slow and grave, and they are rarely seen to run. 

 They have wonderful powers of flight : on the wing they resemble 

 crosses, from their manner of carrying the head and neck. They 

 have no voice, and the only noise they make is a cracking, which 

 results from one mandible of the bill striking against the other, 

 and which expresses either anger or love ; it is sometimes very 

 loud, and, under favourable circumstances, may be heard as much 

 as a league away. They lay from two to four eggs, their fecundity 

 , increasing in an inverse ratio to their size. The duration of 

 their life is from fifteen to twenty years. 



There are several species of Storks, the most important being 

 the White Stork {Ciconia alba). It measures about forty inches 

 in height ; length to end of tail, forty-two inches ; wings, 

 extended, seventy-six inches ; its plumage is white ; the wings 

 are fringed with black. This is the species best known in 

 Europe ; it is chiefly met with in Holland and Germany. In 

 France, Alsatia is chosen as a residence by nearly all those that visit 

 that country. It is so rarely seen in England, that there it has 

 become almost a matter of legend. It is very common in the warm 

 and temperate parts of Asia. Leaving France every year in tke 



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